Coffee at Edinburgh’s Signet Library (link) in Parliament Square this morning, followed by an amble around some of the usual haunts of the Royal Mile and beyond, on a damp but wonderfully bright morning.
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The Signet Library
Month: October 2022
Clockwork
12.24pm on a beautiful morning at the Old Tolbooth – though the clock tells a different story. I’ll keep a lookout for the clock repairer …
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Swirl
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It’s Wednesday again – time for another dance class. Coming across this gorgeous swirl today struck me as a wonderful preview of the evening’s autumnal energy …
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Still mild
It’s still relatively mild here in Edinburgh – which makes meeting up with friends for supper and a quiet walk home afterwards all the lovelier. Something about the lights in residential windows at this time of year, and puffa jackets, gloves and scarves, gently warms my heart.
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Rosslyn Chapel
I could not have imagined a more glorious autumn day to show off the fabulous exterior stonework of the 15th century Rosslyn Chapel in the village of Roslin, Midlothian. Steeped in stories of Knights Templar, and the utterly extraordinary craft of stonemasons, the Chapel attracts visitors from all over the world, having featured in Dan Brown’s 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code – and the 2006 film of the same name.
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Roslin Glen
Full Moon and Jupiter
Many are the magical sights to be seen in Edinburgh. Here, above a Holyrood structure aptly named Dynamic Earth, is a view of Salisbury Crags, formed over forty million years ago by the effects of Arthur’s Seat, the volcano now quietly presiding over them. And above and beyond still further, around 226,000 miles above and beyond to be a bit more precise, is tonight’s Full Moon. Oh, and there’s Jupiter! At their closest points Earth and Jupiter are 365 million miles away from each other. That I can even begin to perceive all of this at this time and in this place gives me a direct encounter with something beyond the reach of adequate explanation: awe.
Chim chiminey
Warm congratulations to my friend Michelle whose new Edinburgh flat sports one of the best Mary Poppins windows in the UK. Over the fabulous array of chimney tops there’s a wonderful view of the Castle from her bathroom window – perfectly placed for every festive firework display. And the views from all the other windows are gorgeous too. Many happy Morningside homecomings Michelle x
Wet and dry …
… and just beautiful, all day long. All over the city.
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Light
I know, I know. Photographers are funny old sticks, forever banging on about the light, the light! But, honestly, Edinburgh autumn days are astonishing. Seasons, fresh morning air, the ever changing foliage, gradations of light …
Energy
‘I really thought twice about coming to class tonight’ … ‘I’m exhausted’ … ‘I’m stiff and tired and not in a very good mood.’
Mixed voices on arrival at my dance class.
‘Where does the energy come from?’ … ‘Wow, I feel better for that’ … ‘I could have danced all night.’
Mixed voices on leaving our dance class.
Really. I really do wonder what it is about community and shared dance that is utterly transformative?
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The comfort of raindrops
Tonight’s quietness has been punctuated by the steady beat of raindrops on my balcony here in Holyrood. I wonder why I find this sound such a comfort – and am reminded that raindrops are among the constants in our lives. And so, in the course of an evening, I have returned to similar experiences from childhood right up to the present day. Each has something in common: the warmth and calm of being sheltered, indoors, at home, lulled towards peace by some of the gentler sounds of nature – which present peace makes me all the more mindful of Lori in Florida and all who are dealing with the aftermath of a fiercer expression of nature’s power. Hugs, Lori.
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Extraordinary light
A chilly walk at Portobello this evening – but worth it in part for sight of this out of the ordinary glowing light over Fife.
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Holyrood gold
Holyrood has been a joy to behold today. Mild and golden, I remember with every returning why I love Edinburgh so much.
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Dunbar’s Close
As a young boy returning to Nefyn, in North Wales, for much loved annual beach holidays, my first ‘place of pilgrimage’ was a children’s playground, home to a red ten seater rocking horse.
Here in Edinburgh it’s Dunbar’s Close Gardens that are a priority. A quiet oasis, just off the busy Royal Mile, it always touches me to observe that other quiet souls love the place too.
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